We are born into it, it is there throughout our lives, and we die in its care. As the National Health Service passes its fiftieth birthday, there is a growing fear that the foundations on which it was established are crumbling. This book looks behind the headlines and explains in a simple, straightforward way, what has happened to our NHS, and what future waits in store.The most recent NHS reforms - the internal market - will be replaced. But by what? Can the system be made more accountable? How can the balance of knowledge be shifted towards the patient? Is the NHS underfunded? Should some...